City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 2, 2013
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of a Proposed Amendment to the Taxicab Code to Change Taxicab Fares and to Receive the Taxicab Biennial Review Report.
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ISSUE: The City Manager’s Biennial Report on the Taxicab Industry and a Recommendation to Amend Ordinance and Change Taxicab Fare rates.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council: (1) receive the City Manager’s Biennial Report on the City of Alexandria’s Taxi Industry (Attachment 1); (2) introduce the ordinance on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 and hold a public hearing on Saturday, January 12, 2013 on the proposed changes to the taxicab fares; and (3) amend the ordinance to reflect changes to taxicab fares.
DISCUSSION: On November 26, 2012, the Traffic and Parking Board held its biennial taxicab review as mandated in Section 9-12-31 of City code. The review was conducted in consultation with the City’s taxi industry and resulted in a series of recommendations including simplifying the fee structure and increasing fare rates.
The most recent adjustment to the City’s taxicab fares was in 2008. Since that time, the cost of living has increased by nearly 10 percent. The proposed rate increase is expected to increase driver income by three to four percent. This adjustment attempts to balance driver needs against community needs. The present $0.75 per trip fuel surcharge will terminate once these proposed fares are enacted. A more detailed analysis of the fare proposal can be found in Attachment 3.
The Board with consideration of input from City staff and representatives of the taxicab industry makes the following recommendations -
1. Simplify the taxi fare structure by combining the suite case and trunk charges int...
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